Page 5 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.9 2022-23

Torrential rain affected the fixture schedule on Sunday, with only three of
the matches going ahead.
Leaders Bristol City saw their match away to Lewes fall victim to a
late postponement, as did Crystal Palace’s home game against Sheffield
Utd. With Southampton having already played against Coventry Utd
during the week, this meant a greatly reduced programme over the
weekend.
London City Lionesses took on Birmingham City with the opportunity of
returning to second place on offer with a victory, whilst the Blues needed a win to make up
ground on the top three. The Lionesses got off to a good start with Shanade Hopcroft giving
them the lead midway through the first half and after Louise Quinn had brought
Birmingham back on level terms, Hopcroft struck again to ensure that London City led at
half time. Hopcroft duly completed her hat-trick with twenty minutes by scoring the third
from the penalty spot and although Quinn was able to score her second goal in injury time,
the Lionesses were able to see the game out for a 3-2 victory - their fourth in five matches,
allowing them to climb back above Southampton into second place on goal difference, two
points off the pace but having played a game more.
Postponement for Crystal Palace meant that Charlton Athletic would be able to
climb back into the top four if they would win away to Durham Women. Emily Simpkins
got them off to the best possible start by putting them ahead after six minutes from the
penalty spot, but Durham hit back soon afterwards with a penalty of their own, converted by
Beth Hepple. Five minutes before half time, the Addicks went back in front through Melissa
Johnson and they held on to this lead throughout the second half to claim a 2-1 win which
lifts them back up the table, whilst Durham’s frustrating start continues as they cannot quite
get going.
The other match in the Championship on Sunday took place at Blackburn Rovers,
where the home side took on Sunderland. The
match remained in the balance until seven Blackburn Rovers 1 (Leek 83)
minutes from time, when Ellie Leek popped up Sunderland 0
to score the only goal of the game for Rovers. - Crystal Palace P-P Sheffield Utd
Whilst the 1-0 result condemned the Wearsiders -
to a third straight defeat, it extended Durham Women 1 (Hepple pen 20)
Blackburn’s unbeaten run to four matches and Charlton Athletic 2 (Simpkins pen 6, Johnson 40)
-
moved them up into the top half of the table. Lewes P-P Bristol City
The Championship will also take a break -
this weekend due to international fixtures but London City Lionesses 3 (Hopcroft 25,36,pen 70)
will return once again on 20th November. Birmingham City 2 (Louise Quinn 31,90)
BARCLAYS CHAMPIONSHIP P W D L F A Pts GD
BRISTOL CITY 7 6 1 0 13 2 19 11
LONDON CITY LIONESSES 8 5 2 1 17 6 17 11 LEADING SCORERS
5
SOUTHAMPTON F.C. 8 5 2 1 11 6 17 Shania HAYLES Bristol City 6
3
CHARLTON ATHLETIC 8 4 1 3 16 13 13 Sarah EWENS London City Lionesses 5
1
CRYSTAL PALACE 7 4 0 3 9 8 12 Saffron JORDAN Blackburn Rovers 5
BLACKBURN ROVERS 8 3 2 3 9 12 11 Elise HUGHES Crystal Palace 4
-3
BIRMINGHAM CITY 7 3 1 3 11 10 10 Emily SIMPKINS Charlton Athletic 4
1
1
LEWES 7 2 4 1 8 7 10 Mia ENDERBY Sheffield Utd 3
SHEFFIELD UTD 7 2 1 4 14 9 7 5
DURHAM WFC 7 2 1 4 7 11 7 -4
SUNDERLAND 8 1 1 6 5 13 4 -8
COVENTRY UTD 8 0 0 8 4 27 0 -23
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